Hello!

I am a total beginner--took the BTCC three weeks ago with the intention of climbing the white oak beside my house, which is a pretty big tree. I estimate 80-90 ft tall, dripine circumference 80 ft, dbh 38", with very large but widely spaced branches. My gear just arrived from OR 10 days ago, and I have spent most of the time since then trying to get comfortable in the tree.

Anyway, so far I have set my rope on branches at 30 and 40 ft up and stood on branches at 20 and 35 ft (these are the first four branches in the tree). Today I was trying to scope out the next set, which is at about 55 ft, and it looks awfully difficult, well protected by foliage and smaller (3-4") branches). So I decided to try to get my line up there from the ground.

After throwing for over an hour at a small opening, I got my line over the big crotch. Unfortunately, it is also over a small branch about 3-4 ft above, almost, but not quite directly above. I pulled the throwbag up to it and tried to east it over, but no luck. I think it will take a stout jerk, and then of course I lose my set.

So I decided to sleep on it. Any advice? Or is it hopeless?

Thanks!

Starik